The MORE Act--Why It's Important to Get It Passed
Updated: Mar 3, 2021
Have you ever wondered, “More and more states are legalizing Cannabis, but why is marijuana still a Schedule 1 drug alongside heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 3,4-methylenediosymethamphetamine (ecstasy).”
Cannabis, Marijuana and Hemp--What's the difference?
Crazy how that is, right?
You might have seen or heard about the MORE Act in the cannabis space and wondered what’s that and how does it affect marijuana?
Today we will break down the MORE Act, why it’s important, and it’s journey to being passed.
What Is the MORE Act?
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, also known as the MORE Act, is proposed U.S. federal legislation that would deschedule and decriminalize cannabis. This doesn’t mean it would federally legalize cannabis but leave it up to the states on how to regulate the substance. There are provisions in the bill for expunging records for previous cannabis-related convictions as well as measures that will aid those harmed by the war on drugs to participate in a legal cannabis market.
According the bill:
“Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall finalize a rulemaking under section 201(a)(2) removing marihuana and tetrahydrocannabinols from the schedules of controlled substances.”
“Marihuana and tetrahydrocannabinols shall each be deemed to be a drug or other substance that does not meet the requirements for inclusion in any schedule.”
Why Is the MORE Act so Important?
The MORE Act is a step toward federal legalization in the U.S.
The bill cites that “historically disproportionate arrest and conviction rates make it particularly difficult for people of color to enter the legal cannabis marketplace...The amendments made by this section to the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) are retroactive and shall apply to any offense committed, case pending, conviction entered, and, in the case of a juvenile, any offense committed, case pending, or adjudication of juvenile delinquency entered before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.”
It isn’t perfect but it is a step toward progress for cannabis legalization and more specifically, for black and brown communities who have been affected by the war on drugs.
Have We Passed the MORE Act?
No. Not yet!
MORE Act Timeline
The MORE Act was first introduced in 2019 and on December 4, 2020 the bill was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This marked the first time a chamber of Congress approved legislation to end federal marijuana prohibition.
The next step is passing it in the senate. It is currently unknown when this piece of U.S. legislation will be voted on.
Fingers crossed. Hopefully soon!
What Now?
Now we wait until the senate votes on the MORE Act but feel free to contact your senator to voice your opinion, continue learning about other cannabis legislation and educate others about the MORE Act. The passing of it can change countless lives.
What This Means to Complement Cannabis?
As a women-led, minority owned cannabis company this is a huge benchmark in the history of cannabis. Our entire position on cannabis / marijuana is that it’s not a “drug” used to inebriate a person, but instead a supplement that can be consumed to enhance one’s lifestyle...whether we consume to spur creativity, to take the edge off a bit, or to get into deep relaxation mode - it is helping achieve a goal. At the end of the day, the MORE Act is what we stand for...it is a foundation for reinventing the way we see and use cannabis and end the stigma.
Sources: Congress.gov, Leafly, Self